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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19991027 - Minutes - Board of Directors (BOD) Regional Open we MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRIC I Meeting 99-26 REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Wednesday, October 27, 1999 AMENDED MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING I. ROLL CALL President Jed Cyr called the meeting to order at 6:22 p.m. Members Present: Nonette Hanko, Mary Davey, Jed Cyr, Ken Nitz, Peter Siemens, Deane Little, and Betsy Crowder. Members Abs None Staff Present: Craig Britton, Sue Schectman, Mike Williams 11. CLOSED SESSION J. Cyr stated that the Board would adjourn to Closed Session for the purpose of discussing Closed Session Agenda Items I and 2. The Board recessed to Closed Session at 6:25 P.M. and the Closed Session commenced at 6:25 P.M. The Board concluded the Closed Session at 7:15 P.M. J. Cyr called the Special Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Financing Authority to order at 7:19 P.M. At 7:25 P.M. the Board concluded the Financing Authority meeting. REGULAR MEETING 111. J. Cyr called the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsfula Regional Open Space District to order at 7:30 P.M. He noted that no reportable actions had taken place in Closed Session. Additional Staff John Cahill, Randy Anderson, John Escobar, Malcolm Smith, Deirdre Pr en Dolan, Jodi Isaacs, Peggy Coats, Gordon Baillie IV ORAL COMMUNICATIONS—There were none. V ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion: K. Nitz moved that the Board adopt the agenda. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. , )0 Di4tol ( ii( le - Los Alto ,,, ( A 9-1022 1404 - Phone: O)() 091 1200 Web site: Ho'I I d,)I I)If,(.(to[, Pee,Im,I I It,n" NA,If v I If d r, I)e,)if(,I I It Ie, N(met I t I LI I I ko' III I y Cnm I j(�I, K(tinct I I( ',ht/ -(Wnct,d \un,tf,,ot:1,( t,w Britton Meeting 99-26 Page 2 VI SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY D. Dolan introduced Jenny Preciado, who had been hired as Office Manager/Administration Secretary. VII ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR N. Hanko removed the minutes of the October 13 meeting; J. Escobar removed agenda item 4, Annual Seasonal Trail Closures Information Report; and J. Cyr removed agenda item 5, Resolution Approving Issuance of District Credit Cards: Approval of a Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of Credit Cards to Specified Managers and Supervisors for District Purchasing Activity. Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board adopt the Consent Calendar, including Revised Claims 99-19. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. VIII APPROVAL OF MINUTES October 13. 1999 N. Hanko said that the second paragraph under Discussion on Page 6 should be corrected. B. Crowder agreed, and said it should read that she agreed with N. Hanko. J. Cyr said he thought the first sentence in the second paragraph under Agenda Item No. 2 was confusing. It was corrected to read Portola Road instead of Alpine Road. Motion: M. Davey moved that the minutes be approved as corrected. P. Siemens seconded the motion. The motion passed 7 to 0. IX BOARD BUSINESS A. Agenda Item 1 — Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding for Consideration of a Wild Pig Control Program on Public and Private Properties in the Skyline Area Between the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District the California Department of Fish and Game the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and the South Skyline Association: Authorization for the General Manager to Sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the California Department of Fish and Game, the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and the South Skyline Association for Consideration of a Wild Pig Control Program on Public and Private Properties in the South Skyline Area: Provide Direction to the Use and Management Committee to Evaluate and Review a Pig Control Program and Report Back to the Board Before Finalizing the Fiscal Year 2000-2001 Budget: and Authorization for the Board President to Approve. Subject to Approval by the General Manager and the General Counsel, Minor Revisions to the Memorandum of Understanding Which Do Not Substantially Change Any Material Term of the Agreement - (,Report R-99-141). J. Isaacs presented the staff report, explaining why the item was coming to the Board at this time and what it would mean to the District. She clarified that the agenda item is regarding a Memorandum of Understanding, not to adopt a wild pig control program. She showed slides comparing rooted areas at different times of the year. Meeting 99-26 Page 3 B. Crowder said she thought the staff recommendations should be implemented soon and that the report was excellent. She thanked Dick Schwind for the statistics and monitoring. She asked what Santa Clara County's experience had been. Don Rocha, Resource Management Specialist, Santa Clara County Parks & Recreation, said their experience had been pretty positive. They had focused on recreation areas, especially campgrounds. Interaction between pigs and humans had decreased. He described steps they had taken and said they only have control programs at two parks. He noted that in some areas the pigs have a positive impact. San Mateo Assistant Superintendent Dave Moore said they are dealing with the issue at Pescadero and Sam McDonald Parks. They are setting up monitoring and photo points to see how bad the problem is. He said the MOU is something they could also move into. Diane Renshaw, 607 Paco Drive, Los Altos, said she was a member of the Santa Cruz Mountains Bioregional Council and a wildlife biologist. She said it must be remembered that pigs were introduced for sport and brought in as livestock. What is being seen now are pigs moving north from the Monterey area. She said the Bioregional Council's mission was to preserve and protect biodiversity. She talked about how they accomplish that. She said the data presented at this meeting was good and that a regional approach to the problem was critical. The District could be key to this effort. She supported signing the MOU. P. Siemens said the District is adding more land where hunting is prohibited. J. Isaacs said that is a reason for the regional approach. Pigs will go where there is less hunting pressure. Brian Osborn, a Skyline area resident since 1971, showed slides of pig activity on Windy Hill Preserve. Richard Schwind, 11825 Skyline Blvd., Los Gatos, member of the South Skyline Association, showed a vugraph depicting how much farther pigs had encroached since last September. He said they are not bothering people because the wet areas are on District land. He thought J. Isaacs' report understated the damage they cause. He thought that more than 10 percent of the oaks in Long Ridge had been rooted. He thought they were competing with other animals for food, and that might explain why there were not as many deer as in the past. Ruth Waldhauer, 22400 Skyline Blvd., La Honda, said wild pig control will take a regional effort. Since the District owns over 50 percent of the land in the Skyline Area, they must join the effort. She said it was encouraging that the California Department of Parks was joining in the MOU. She thought that would make it easier to find grant money to cover costs. Eva Blum, P. O. Box 620066, Woodside, member of the South Skyline Association, said she was a former livestock farmer and present tree farmer on 40 acres. She expressed concerns for the contamination of the water caused by pig rooting. She said pigs are a disease vector. In addition there are documented pig attacks on humans when they are disturbed. Pigs do not have many predators. She talked about the impact on farmers, and said there needed to be not only regional, but state-wide control. She said it was difficult to measure the impact pigs have on star thistle and suggested that they look at what happens in the rooted areas. Meeting 99-26 Page 4 Mary Elsener, 1420 Skyline Blvd., La Honda, said she had heard economic and aesthetic concerns. She disagreed with the descriptions that were stated in the document. Pigs have become an integral part of the evolving ecosystem. She thought the issue deserved very serious consideration. She said they were talking about killing the animals. Humans have modified the environment. She thought pigs have a place and thought the presentation was biased. Les Chibana, SR2 Box 335, La Honda, said he did not think pigs were a problem. He said we forget how much humans have impacted the area and asked if they had considered all aspects. Regarding table 2, the number of pig sightings, Mr. Chibawa said we need to be careful about being influenced by numbers. He said the last two years had been bad acorn crop years and he did not know how much that was affecting the presence of pigs. Paul Heiple, 441 Conil Way, Portola Valley, representing California Native Plant Society, said they were in favor of pig control. Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board authorize the General Manager to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), and the South Skyline Association (SSA) for consideration of a wild pig control program on public and private properties in the South Skyline Area; direct the Use and Management committee to evaluate and review a pig control program and report back to the Board before finalizing the fiscal year 2000-2001 budget; and authorize the Board President to approve, subject to approval by the General Manager and General Counsel, minor revisions to this MOU which do not substantially change any material term of the agreement. P. Siemens seconded the motion. Discussion: Board Members expressed support for staffs recommendation of a regional approach. Vote: The motion passed 7 to 0. B. Agenda Item 2 — Tentative Adoption of An Amendment to the Use and Management Plan of Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve to Install a Memorial Bench and Plaque: Determination that the Recommended Actions are Categorically Exempt Under the California Environmental Quality Act: Tentative Adoption of an Amendment to the Use and Management Plan of Skyline Ridge en Space Preserve to Install a Bench and Plague in Memory of Mr. Norbert Eberhardt and Dedicated to District Staff and Search-and-Rescue Volunteers and Workers. with the Costs of the Bench. Plague, and Installation to be Borne by the Family of Mr. Eberhardt- (Report R-99-138). M. Smith presented the staff report. He showed slides of a similar bench and vistas from the proposed location. Motion: B. Crowder moved that the Board determine that the recommended actions are categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act as set out in the staff report; and tentatively adopt an amendment to the Comprehensive Use and Meeting 99-26 Page 5 Management Plan for Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve to install a bench and plaque in memory of Mr. Norbert Eberhardt and dedicated to District staff and search-and-rescue volunteers, with the cost of the bench, plaque, and installation to be borne by the family of Mr. Eberhardt. M. Davey seconded the motion. Discussion: K. Nitz expressed a concern with the wording. N. Hanko said the Legislative, Finance and Public Affairs Committee had looked at the District policies, and determined that when a bench is dedicated to search and rescue it fits into policies. She described the proposed program and said she was pleased to see the new bench. Vote: The motion passed 7 to 0. C. Agenda Item 3 — Notice of Contract Completion and Authorization of Additional Budget for Consulting Services for the Purisima Creek Trail/Road Storm Damage Repair Project. Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve: Authorization for the President of the Board. or Other Appropriate Officer. to Execute a Notion of Completion and Acceptance of Work for the Storm Damage Repair Project. and Authorization for an Increase in Contract Amounts Above the General Manager's $10.000 Spending Authorization Limit for Two Consultants On the Project: An Increase of$10,000 ($20.000 Total)to D & M Consulting Engineers. Inc.. for Present and Pending Services. and An Increase of$4.000 ($14.000 total)to Gilbert Carwick for Services Rendered on the Project - (Report R-99-140) J. Cyr tabled the matter until later in the meeting when staff could prepare a slide presentation. D Agenda Item 4—Annual Seasonal Trail Closures Information Report- (Report R-99-129,). G. Baillie noted changes to item 12 on page 3. Discussion followed regarding the use of the word "interim." There was concern that it was misleading. C. Britton said staff would bring this item to a future meeting with clarified wording. E. Agenda Item 5— Resolution Approving Issuance of District Credit Cards: Approval of a Resolution Authorizine the Issuance of Credit Cards to Specified Managers and Supervisors for District Purchasing Activity - (Report R-99-139). C. Britton informed Board members that the balance is paid monthly so there is no interest charged. Motion: K. Nitz moved that the Board approved Resolution No. 99-44, Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Authorizing the Issuance of District Credit Cards and Related Borrowing of Funds from Cupertino National Bank and Trust. P. Siemens seconded the motion. Discussion: J. Cyr suggested changing page 3 of Revised Claims to indicate that the single asterisk referred to Item 3. Vote: The motion passed 7 to 0. Meeting 99-26 Page 6 X INFORMATIONAL REPORTS M. Davey: 1. She talked about the Earth Day event on April 22, 2000. 2. She passed out invitations to the November 12 award celebration of the agencies, non-profits, and environmental groups working to make the Midpeninsula a sustainable area. 3. There will be a meeting of the Community Resource Group regarding the Stanford lands on Thursday, November 28. 4. The Committee on Green Foothills wants to honor the District in June for their achievements. N. Hanko: 1. The Legislative, Finance and Public Affairs Committee recommended approval of the bench considered at this meeting. They also discussed the reunion of the Picchetti family at the ranch next spring. 2. She attended the legislative breakfast in San Mateo County with K. Nitz and M. Smith. They met Lou Papan. 3. She met with Senator Sher regarding eminent domain at the coast. He suggested they resolve their differences with their LAFCO service plan 4. She read the actions taken by the Palo Alto City Council regarding Stanford lands. K. Nitz stated that he was happy that M. Davey was promoting Earth Day 2000, and volunteered to work on behalf of the District. J. Cyr: 1. He referred to the Summary of Significant Incidents report and commended staff on the rapid response to multiple lightning strikes. 2. He reported that he would attend the South Bay Open Space Forum. D. Little noted that Kathleen Myer, President of ROMP, stated that she strongly opposed illegal trail building in the group's November newsletter. C. Britton: 1. He suggested the possibility of discussing only the eminent domain issue on the coast side at the Board's November 10 meeting, and having a meeting on November 17 to cover the rest other Board business. 2. The Coastal Conservancy is working on the request for a $3 million grant and a $3 million interest free loan for Bear Creek Redwoods. Agenda Item 3 —continued J. Cahill presented the staff report. He slowed slides of some of the areas that were repaired. B. Crowder said it was a very clear and concise report and she hoped the bridge could be re-used. Motion: M. Davey moved that the Board authorize execution by the President of the Board, or other appropriate officer, of the Notice of Completion and Acceptance of Work for the storm damage repair project; and authorize increases in the contract amounts above the General Manager's $10,000 spending authorization limit for two consultants on the project: an increase of$10,000 ($20,000 total) to D &M Consulting Engineers, Inc., for present and pending services; and an increase of $4,000 ($14,000 total) to Gilbert Karwick for services rendered on the project. P. Siemens seconded the motion. Meeting 99-26 Page 7 Vote: The motion passed 7 to 0. XI ADJOURNMENT- At 10:08 P.M., the meeting was adjourned. Roberta Wolfe Recording Secretary I